| Eating health food has become a trend in the past | | | | 3. Buy a share or half-share in a community |
| couple decades, but while it's good for your body, | | | | supported agriculture program, or CSA. For |
| many are put off by the high prices on health | | | | around $350, you can receive boxes of fresh fruit |
| foods one finds when shopping in one's local | | | | weekly for the 25 week growing season--some |
| grocery store. Although it may have a good | | | | freshly picked the morning you receive it! How |
| effect on your body, the exorbitant prices of | | | | tempting is that? |
| organic food items at supermarkets can have a | | | | 4. The best prices are in-season. But what to do |
| nasty effect on your wallet. There must be a | | | | when the growing season is over? Freeze the |
| way to eat healthy for a lower price, you think. | | | | produce! It stays yummy and can be pulled out |
| Well, there is. | | | | and thawed for consumption year round, and it's |
| The first necessity is to stay away from the | | | | much cheaper than forking over the higher prices |
| supermarket. Stores that specialize in health food | | | | for organic food when the pickings are slim. |
| are lower priced, better stocked, and the | | | | 5. Buy in bulk. Do the math. For things like nuts |
| employees usually know more information about | | | | and lentils, buying in bulk can be a great way to |
| health food than would your typical supermarket | | | | save. So long as you have a dry, cool area to |
| clerk, leaving them able to guide you in the | | | | store them in, just buy a bunch that can last you |
| direction best suited for your health situation. | | | | for months rather than buying individual batches |
| Farmers' markets, gourmet delis, and community | | | | at a much higher cost. But always calculate the |
| agricultural programs are some other excellent | | | | price--sometimes, the savings aren't worth the |
| ways to find cheaper prices on food that's good | | | | hassle. |
| for both your body and your taste buds. | | | | 6. Join your local co-op. A food co-op is a business |
| A few simple tips can lead you in the right | | | | owned by members which provides products |
| direction when deciding where and when to | | | | such as groceries to its members at a discount. |
| purchase healthy, organic food. | | | | Joining one is usually pretty easy--just sign on and |
| 1. Shop at farmers' markets. Why should you eat | | | | pay your dues, and if you volunteer for the co-op |
| fruit that's been boxed and tossed inside of truck | | | | you can get even more discounts. Most of the |
| to be driven across country, when you can buy | | | | food from co-ops is organic, from local family |
| fresh products just harvested by farmers in your | | | | farms. |
| own area? | | | | Now that you're on your way to purchasing health |
| 2. Research! You have more options than you | | | | foods at a price closer to reasonable (although |
| realize. Simply type 'health food' into a search | | | | health food prices rarely come within pennies of |
| engine and you will be inundated with countless | | | | conventional food prices outside of California), |
| directories of health food stores, specialty stores, | | | | make sure you have a diet plan and know which |
| organic food markets and so on, and can easily | | | | health foods you should eat to best compliment |
| locate the one or more that are located nearest | | | | your body. A little bit of planning can go a long |
| you. | | | | way in terms of how you feel. |